Rumblings coming out of Southampton suggest higher-ups within the club are worried they may lose Ronald Koeman to Everton or Arsenal.
The Dutch manager’s current contract expires in a year and rumours are speculating he is unwilling to sign a new deal.
Roberto Martinez and Arsene Wenger are both under pressure in their current positions, but Koeman would be wise to avoid making the Emirates his new home.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from Manchester United in 2013 has highlighted how difficult it is to replace long-term managers.
The legendary United boss, who won 38 trophies over his 27 years at Old Trafford, was replaced by David Moyes.
Moyes only lasted one season in the dugout before getting sacked, with United finishing the season in seventh place.
Clearly following Ferguson was always going to be a tough act to follow, but his fellow Scot’s departure from Everton after 11 years to take the role also had a detrimental effect.
The Toffees replaced the former Preston boss with Roberto Martinez, who is clearly an unpopular figure amongst the Goodison Park faithful.
Martinez guided the Merseysiders to fifth place in his first season, but finishing 11th last term, coupled with the possibility of another bottom-half finish this campaign, has seen fans turn against him and protest his position.
Clearly, replacing managers who are part of the furniture of a club is a poisoned chalice and Koeman would be wise to avoid following Wenger.
A move to Everton would also not be too much of a step up for the 53-year-old and this has proved to be beneficial for departing Southampton managers.
Mauricio Pochettino, Koeman’s predecessor, left the south coast two years ago in order to take over at Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs had only finished two places above the Saints in the season before, but under Pochettino they have been transformed into eventual title contenders this term.
